Havas Reports ‘Robust’ Q1 New Business Figures, Struggles in Europe

Havas, home to firms including Abernathy McGregor Group, Cake, and Euro RSCG Worldwide, reported 3.5 percent organic growth for Q1 2012 with revenue totaling €387 million (about $511 million by today’s conversion rates). That’s a year-over-year increase from €361 million in revenue.

The company called its new business results “robust” with that figure totaling €605 million (about $799 million) for the quarter. That far exceeds the new business number from 2011 — €384 million.

Even with the positive numbers, the results fall shortof the competition. Havas’ European figures were sluggish with organic growth actually going negative in the U.K. and the rest of Europe, with the exception of France, its home turf.

The company told The Guardian that there was “a temporary slowdown in marketing activities” in the U.K. and said the European results were brought down by Spain and Portugal.

In a press release statement, David Jones, Havas’ global CEO, called France a “highlight” despite the economic uncertainty in the region. He also said North America continued on a track laid in Q4, and praised the “strong growth” in emerging markets like Latin America. Organic growth in regions outside of North America and Europe was 12.3 percent.

“All disciplines contributed to our performance including a continued acceleration in digital,” the statement says.

For more information about Havas’ earnings, click here. The company announced last month that it would be rebranding nearly all of the Euro RSCG brands under the Havas name.

We spoke with Marian Salzman, Euro RSCG Worldwide PR CEO in North America for a Mediabistro feature, “So What Do You Do?” Check that out here.